Power Trowels
A power trowel spins large steel blades across fresh concrete to make it dense and smooth. The machine is heavy and fast, and the work happens at a critical time when the slab is setting and crews are tired.
- Concrete Finishers
- Flatwork Crews
- Equipment Operators
Hazards
- Rotating blades: they can cut and crush hands and feet. A guard ring surrounds them, but never reach under a running machine.
- Loss of control: the machine can spin the operator or pull away if the blades bite, especially at start-up or when the pitch is wrong.
- Gas engine exhaust: carbon monoxide builds up in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas. See Carbon Monoxide.
- Fuel and fire during refueling and on hot engines. See Equipment Fueling.
- Wet cement burns skin from kneeling and contact. See Concrete Finishers.
- Noise, vibration and back strain.
- Trips and falls on forms, rebar and wet slabs, and falls from ride-on machines.
Safe operation
- Read the manual. Check the safety stop switch (kill switch) or dead-man lever, which stops the blades when you let go, before each use.
- Inspect blades, guard ring, handle, throttle and engine. Replace worn or bent blades.
- Start the machine on the slab and keep your feet clear. Hold the handle firmly with both hands and stand with a stable stance.
- Adjust blade pitch only with the engine off, and lock out the spark plug if needed.
- Keep other workers and cords out of the machine's path. Do not leave a running machine unattended.
- Ventilate when working indoors. Use electric or propane units or fans, and consider carbon monoxide detectors.
- Refuel with the engine off and cool, away from sparks.
- Wear waterproof boots, gloves, long sleeves, hearing protection, safety glasses and knee pads. Wash cement off promptly.
Before you start
- Check the timing of the slab; do not start too early
- Plan the route and exit; clear forms and tools
- Know the location of the kill switch and how to stop the machine fast
- Have water and eye wash handy for cement splashes
Standards & references
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